Room 220 in the Union, better known as the Off-Campus Lounge, doubles as a multi-purpose room. For some students, it serves as a quick hangout between classes. For others, its a kitchen or perhaps a library and study hall.
The lounge itself is equipped with two Mac computers, various seating, an assortment of magazines and a kitchen area with a refrigerator, two microwaves and a sink.
Director of the Union Patrick Nelson said students are more than welcome to store food in the cupboards and refrigerator, but at their own risk.
Also located in the lounge are 126 lockers. Nelson explained that on the first Monday of each semester, students can reserve a locker, free of charge, for the whole term. They are available on a first-come, first-serve basis and the lock combinations are changed with each semester.
Commuter Aaron Martin said he likes having the lounge to go to between classes instead of walking back to his off-campus home.
“Whenever I have class and I’m waiting for another I’m always in here. Always,” Martin said. “I think it’s better to hang out here than somewhere all by yourself.”
Martin, a digital arts major, said he spends most of his time doing classwork or working on his own personal art projects. He also said that during a past semester, he and a friend would meet every Friday in the lounge to play video games.
“My friend would bring a TV and I would bring my gaming system and we would play Smash Brothers,” he said.
The area across from the lounge, where the Bowling Greenery was located before recent renovations, was transformed into a seating area, equipped with multiple flat screen TVs. Nelson said because the off-campus lounge is a relatively small room, this new seating area serves as an extension of the lounge.
“I think the biggest advantage of it is that new space to spill into,” Nelson said.
Nelson also said they moved the printing station from the lounge into this bigger space for greater access to students.
Even though it is the off-campus lounge, access is not limited to only commuter students.
“Anyone’s invited. You don’t have to be a commuter student to be in here,” Nelson said.
Senior, Erin Ziems lives on campus and she says she visits the lounge every day to do homework and hang out with her friends.
Ziems said a lot of her friends are commuters and the lounge offers them a nice quiet place where they can get together during the day without having to worry about disrupting other students.
“Not only do we have access to a kitchen and fridge but all my friends are here,” she said.
